Published February 24, 2024
The second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine was celebrated in Kiev in a very symbolic way: with a celebration with the attendance of four fairly minor Western leaders, including the prime ministers of Italy, Canada, and Belgium, as well as the EU Commission president.
With no American, British, French or German leaders participating, this diminished ceremony paints a perfect image of the dwindling Ukrainian relevance in the minds of the top leaders in the west.
Reuters reported:
“Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, Belgium’s Alexander De Croo and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, travelled to the Ukrainian capital together overnight by train from neighboring Poland, the Italian government said in a statement.”
The Guardian reported:
“The leaders visited Hostomel airport, near Kiev, which Russian paratroopers seized at the start of Moscow’s all-out attack. Ukrainian troops regained control of the airfield and thwarted Russian plans to capture the capital.
“Two years ago we met enemy troopers here with fire, and two years later, we are meeting our friends, our partners, here,” Zelensky said. He added: “Any normal person wants the war to end. But none of us will allow our Ukraine to end”.
Zelensky later spoke with Joe Biden on a video call. The show of solidarity came at a time when Ukrainian troops have suffered defeats on the battlefield, including the recent loss of the eastern city of Avdiivka.”
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SOURCE: www.thegatewaypundit.com
RELATED: Ukraine war: Zelensky insists country will win on second anniversary
Marches were held across Europe in solidarity with Ukraine
Published February 25, 2024
Ukraine’s president has issued a rallying cry, vowing that his country will prevail, as it marks two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“None of us will allow our Ukraine to end,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address in the capital Kyiv.
He was joined by Western leaders in a show of solidarity.
The anniversary comes as Ukraine experiences a range of setbacks in its efforts to expel Russia from its territory.
Mr Zelensky said in his speech on Saturday that while any normal person would want the war to end, it could only be on Ukraine’s terms.
“That’s why, to the words ‘end of the war’, we always add ‘on our terms’. That’s why the word ‘peace’ always goes with ‘fair’.
“We are fighting for it. For 730 days of our lives already. And we will win on the best day of our life.”
Joining him in Kyiv were the leaders of Italy, Belgium and Canada – as well as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
They laid wreaths at a wall commemorating those who have lost their lives in the war.
However, there were some glaring omissions among the visitors. No senior US representatives were present, whereas last year President Joe Biden attended the anniversary.
Mr Zelensky did meet a group of Democratic senators led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Friday, though, which he said was a sign Washington backed Ukraine.
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SOURCE: www.bbc.com
